Electrically-operated toy set



Feb. 18, 1930. D. MATHIAS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TOY SET Filed Feb. T7, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WITNESSEs I] Feb. 18, 1930. D. L. MATHIAS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TOY SET Filed Feb. 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR M a ,1. M

WITNESSES 7724: QAMVWM 1 vide an actuating i Patented Feb. 18, 1930 DAVID L. MATHIAS, OF PITTQBURGH, PENN @FFEQE SYLVANIA ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED TOY SET Application filed February 17, 1926.

My invention relates to mechanical toys, and more particularly to toys operated by an electrically energized actuating mechanism.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide an electrically energized actuating mechanism for use in combination with mechanical toys such as hoisting engines, pumps, trip hammers, machine tools, or the like, which shall be adapted to be detachably mounted on the toys so that one or more of these actuating mechanisms may be utilized to operate a large variety of interchangeable mechanical toys at uie will of the operator.

Another object 01 my invention is to pro echanisin of the above designated character which shall be oi" simple, compact and relatively inexpensive construction, comprising a unitarymember which is readily assembled to toys, constructed to cooperate therewith, in a simple and expedient manner.

It is a further objectof my invention to provide an actuating mechanism vhich shall constitute a self-contained unit that is adapted to; use in any suitable electrical circuit such as is usually provided for the electrical operation of toy railways, and the like.

In the accompanying orawings constituting a parthereof and in wiich like reference characters designate like parts, Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electrically energized actuating mechanism embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section taken along the line llll, Fig. 1; lg. S is a similar view taken along the line HI-IIL 1; Fig. i is a. front elevational view of a hoisting engine having the electrical actuating mechanism attached thereto; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view thereof; Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of a toy pump embodying the electrically energized actuating mechanism; and 7 is a view in side el vation of a vertically operative trip hammer having the actuating mechanism as sociated therewith.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawiii 's the structures therein illustrated comprise a cylindrical housing 1 having a projecting portion 2 formed integrally therewith for housing a pair of electrically energized Serial No.

solenoids 3 and l and a switching mechanism generally designated by the reference numer- The solenoids 3 and d are retained in their proper position by insulating washers 6 and 7, the latter being provided with openings 8 to permit the 9 and 10 therethr A movable armature ll central opening solenoids 3 and it passing of terminal leads ough.

is disposed in the 12 extending through the suthcientclearance 13 being 'i'ictionless movement of The armature 11 is provided with a threaded opening let adapted to receive a plunger or rod 15 which cooperates with any one or" a variety J! J, '1 0i toys as i 11i be The switching hereinafter explained. mechanism 5 comprises a block 16 of insulating material having a pair of stationary contacts 17 secured thereto by cap screws 18 to exert a yielding able contact with a vertically tact 19 is restricted yoke 21 of insul the contacts being bent )ressure against a inovmember 19 which is associated movable rod 20. The conin its movement by a ating material to retain it within the limits of the stationary contacts 17 so that contact is or the established with either one other of said members at all times.

The rod oi. the movable contact 19 is connected by the of a suitable noids 3 and terminal lead 10 with one side electrical circuit and the solea have their terminals 23 and 24,

respectively, connected by terminal lead 25 to the other side of said circuit.

ary contacts 17 and 27 of the connection of either The stationare connected to terminals 26 solenoids 3 and l, respectively, so that the position of the movable contact latter contacts with either members 17 determines the oi the solenoids with the source electrical energy.

The vertically movable rod 20 of the switching mechanism is associated wi h the plunger 15 of the movable armature to reiprocate therewith, thereby making 2111C breaking contact with the respective contacts 17 to altern ately establish a current in the solenoids which eiiect a reciprocatory movement of the ating plunger 15 armature 11 and its cooper- In Figs. 4 and 5 the actuating device is shown mounted 011 a toy to which it is secured in any suitable manner as by cap screws 45.

'The plunger 15 is shown connected to a slide block 28 movable in a pair of parallel guideways 29, such slide block being connected by connecting rod 30 to a crank wheel 31 secured to a shaft 32 having a fly wheel 33 and a sheave wheel 3a mounted thereon. The rod 20 carrying the movable contact 19 is connected by an eccentric crank 35 to the shaft 32 thereby alternately energizing the sole-' noids 3 and 1 as heretofore explained, to change the direction of movement of the armature 11.

In Fig. 6, the plunger 15 of the movable armature constitutes the piston rod of a piston member 36 which cooperates with a cylinder 37 to constitute a pump. The rod 20 of the switching mechanism is provided with a dog 38 which extends in the path of a spacing collar 39 secured to the plunger 15 that raises the rod 20 on the up-stroke of the plunger 15. The rod 20 is operated in the reverse direction by the engagement of the lower face of the armature 11 with the dog 38 on the down-stroke of the armature, thus alternately making contact with the contact elements 17.

In Fig. 7 the actuating mechanism is shown as applied to a trip hammer 4O cooperating with an anvil ll the stem of the hammer 40 being the plunger 15 of the armature and the rod 20 of the switching mechanism being operated in the manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 6.

It is evident from the foregoing description of the electrically energized reciprocating mechanism and its connection with the several mechanical toys illustrated as embodiments of my invention that my device is susceptible of application to a variety of uses in connection with the operation of mechanical toys and that the device is of such simple and durable construction that it requires no skill for its operation.

Although I have described numerous embodiments of my invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the details of construction and in its application as a toy operating mechanism without departing from the principles therein set forth.

I claim:

1. A mechanical toy comprising the combination of a frame, a tubular casing open at both ends removably mounted in fixed position on said frame, a plurality of solenoids disposed within said casing with their axes in line with each other, an armature mounted for reciprocation within said solenoids, a rod connectedto said armature for connection to and actuation of toys interchangeably mounted on said frame, electrical connections to said solenoids, and a switch interposed in the circuit to alternately energize said solenoids.

2. In a toy the combination of a frame having a base portion for interchangeably receiving a variety of toy mechanisms, and a vertical flange portion; a casing removably mounted on said flange, a pair of axially aligned solenoids mounted in said casing, a switching mechanism, electrical connections to said solenoids and switch, an armature mounted within said solenoids for reciprocation in response to alternate actuation thereof, a toy-operating rod carried by said armature and removably connected to a toy mechanism mounted on said frame, and connections between said rod and switch to alternately actuate said solenoids.

In testimony whereof, I sign my name.

DAVID L. MATHIAS. 

